'''Swahili''' or Kiswahili, is the official language of [[Tanzania]], [[Kenya]], and [[Uganda]]. Swahili speakers can also be found in surrounding countries, such as [[Burundi]], [[Rwanda]], [[Mozambique]], and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. While only 5-10 million people speak Swahili as their first language, as a second language, there are over 50 million speakers, making it the most widely spoken African language in the world. As a part of the Bantu language family, Swahili is related to a variety of languages from Southern Africa to West Africa. While some Bantu languages, like [[Xhosa phrasebook|Xhosa]] and [[Zulu phrasebook|Zulu]] are click languages, Swahili does ''not'' use clicks, so pronunciation is generally not difficult for English speakers.

+

'''Swahili''' or Kiswahili, is an official language of [[Tanzania]], [[Kenya]]([[English]] is the official language the government of [[Kenya]] and is widely spoken in urban areas), the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and [[Uganda]]. Swahili speakers can also be found in surrounding countries, such as [[Burundi]], [[Rwanda]], and [[Mozambique]]. While only 5-10 million people speak Swahili as their first language, as a second language, there are over 50 million speakers, making it the most widely spoken African language in the world. As a part of the Bantu language family, Swahili is related to a variety of languages from Southern Africa to Central to West Africa. While some Bantu languages, like [[Xhosa phrasebook|Xhosa]] and [[Zulu phrasebook|Zulu]] are click languages, Swahili does ''not'' use clicks, so pronunciation is generally not difficult for English speakers.

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===Vowels===

===Vowels===

−

Swahili has five vowels: a, e, i, o, u. If you are familiar with [[Spanish]] or [[Japanese]], the vowels are pronounced the same. If not, they are pronounced:

+

Swahili has five vowels: a, e, i, o, u. If you are familiar with [[Spanish]], [[Italian]] or [[Japanese]], the vowels are pronounced the same. If not, they are pronounced:

'''A''' - ah (Like the "a" in "father")

'''A''' - ah (Like the "a" in "father")

<br>

<br>

−

'''E''' - eh (Like the "e" in "bench")

+

'''E''' - eh (Like the "a" in "say" but without moving your mouth)

<br>

<br>

'''I''' - ee (Like the "ee" in "see")

'''I''' - ee (Like the "ee" in "see")

<br>

<br>

−

'''O''' - oh (Like the "o" in "cone")

+

'''O''' - oh (Like the "o" in "so" but without moving your mouth)

<br>

<br>

'''U''' - oo (Like the "oo" in "doom")

'''U''' - oo (Like the "oo" in "doom")

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;n : like the "n" in "numb"

;n : like the "n" in "numb"

−

Although "m" and "n" are pronounced the same in Swahili as they are in English, unlike English, these letters can often be found at the beginning of words followed by other consonants, such as "t", "d", etc. Since Swahili has no silent letters, it is important to pronounce these letters. So for words like "Mchana" (afternoon) and "Ndugu" (sibling/relative), you needs to pronounce the "m" and "n" sounds along with the following consonant sounds.

+

Although "m" and "n" are pronounced the same in Swahili as they are in English, unlike English, these letters can often be found at the beginning of words followed by other consonants, such as "t", "d", etc. Since Swahili has no silent letters, it is important to pronounce these sounds. So for words like "Mchana" (afternoon) and "Ndugu" (sibling/relative), you need to pronounce the "m" and "n" sounds along with the following consonant sounds.

;r : The "r" sound is not pronounced as it is in English. Actually, like the vowels, the "r" sound is the same as Spanish and Japanese; a soft "r" that sometimes sounds like a "d".

;r : The "r" sound is not pronounced as it is in English. Actually, like the vowels, the "r" sound is the same as Spanish and Japanese; a soft "r" that sometimes sounds like a "d".

−

−

−

−

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===Common diphthongs===

===Common diphthongs===

−

There are no diphthongs in Swahili however, foreign names and loan words may contain them.

+

There are no diphthongs in Swahili; however, foreign names and loan words may contain them.

==Phrase list==

==Phrase list==

===Basics===

===Basics===

−

Note that greetings is Swahili are very important, and long and drawn out - you can go back and forth several times, using not one but all of the greetings you know.

+

Note that greetings in Swahili are very important and long and drawn out - you can go back and forth several times, using not one but all of the greetings you know.

; Hello. (to one person) : Hujambo (response: Sijambo)

; Hello. (to one person) : Hujambo (response: Sijambo)

: Hello. (to a group) : Hamjambo (response: Hatujambo)

: Hello. (to a group) : Hamjambo (response: Hatujambo)

; Hello to an older person or authority figure. : Shikamoo (''shee-kah-moh'') (response: Marahaba). Some people frown on the use of Shikamoo because it started out as a servant's greeting to his/her master.

; Hello to an older person or authority figure. : Shikamoo (''shee-kah-moh'') (response: Marahaba). Some people frown on the use of Shikamoo because it started out as a servant's greeting to his/her master.

; Hello. (''informal'') : Sasa / Mambo / Jambo (generally said only to tourists). This is 'Sheng' or Swahili slang. Most locals are not impressed if you greet them using Sheng.

; Hello. (''informal'') : Sasa / Mambo / Jambo (generally said only to tourists). This is 'Sheng' or Swahili slang. Most locals are not impressed if you greet them using Sheng.

Grammatically this would depend on the noun class of the object in question. E.g. for bathroom it would be 'Kiko', not 'Iko'. There are 18 noun classes in Swahili.

+

Grammatically, this would depend on the noun class of the object in question. E.g. for bathroom, it would be 'Kiko', not 'Iko'. There are 18 noun classes in Swahili.

===Problem(s)===

===Problem(s)===

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; Police! : Polisi!

; Police! : Polisi!

; Help! : Msaada!

; Help! : Msaada!

−

; Stop! Thief! : (saying this in Swahili could likely result in violent death for the thief at the hands of self appointed vigilantes. your item may or may not be recovered.) Simama, mwizi!

+

; Stop! Thief! : (Saying this in Swahili could likely result in violent death for the thief at the hands of self appointed vigilantes. Your item may or may not be recovered.) Simama, mwizi!

; I need your help. : Ninaomba msaada.

; I need your help. : Ninaomba msaada.

; I'm lost. : Nimepotea.

; I'm lost. : Nimepotea.

−

; I lost my bag. : Nimepoteza mfuko yangu.

+

; I lost my bag. : Nimepoteza mfuko wangu.

; I lost my wallet. : Nimepoteza pochi.

; I lost my wallet. : Nimepoteza pochi.

; I'm sick. : Mimi ni mgonjwa.

; I'm sick. : Mimi ni mgonjwa.

−

; I've been injured. : Nina oma.

+

; I've been injured. :

; I need a doctor. : Ninahitaji daktari.

; I need a doctor. : Ninahitaji daktari.

; Can I use your phone? : Ninaomba kutumia simu yako?

; Can I use your phone? : Ninaomba kutumia simu yako?

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;What time is it? : Saa ngapi?

;What time is it? : Saa ngapi?

−

In Swahili, the morning does not begin at midnight (12 AM); instead it begins at 7:00 AM. Daytime revolves around the rising and setting of the sun, which typically begins to rise around 7 AM and set at 7 PM in the areas where Swahili is spoken. For English speakers, this can be confusing however, those who learn how to tell time in Swahili will admit that it is more logical than the English system, in which midnight is considered "morning", even though no one begins their day at midnight.

+

In Swahili, the morning does not begin at midnight (12 AM); instead, it begins at 7:00 AM. Daytime revolves around the rising and setting of the sun, which typically begins to rise around 7 AM and set at 7 PM in the areas where Swahili is spoken. For English speakers, this can be confusing; however, those who learn how to tell time in Swahili will admit that it is more logical than the English system, in which midnight is considered "morning", even though no one begins their day at midnight.

−

So, to say the time in Swahili, you need to add (or subtract) 6 from the English time. 7:00 in America will be expressed as the ''first hour'' in Swahili. AM is expressed with ''asubuhi'' (morning) and PM is typically marked with ''usiku'' (night). Because the daytime begins at 7 AM, hours from midnight to 6 AM will be expressed with ''usiku'', as these are nighttime hours in Swahili. ''Jioni'' (evening) can be used in place of ''usiku'' for hours that are not so late, such as 7 PM.

+

So, to say the time in Swahili, you need to add (or subtract) 6 from the English time. 7:00 in America will be expressed as the ''first hour'' (1:00) in Swahili. AM is expressed with ''asubuhi'' (morning) and PM is typically marked with ''usiku'' (night). Because the daytime begins at 7 AM, hours from midnight to 6 AM will be expressed with ''usiku'', as these are nighttime hours in Swahili. ''Jioni'' (evening) can be used in place of ''usiku'' for hours that are not so late, such as 7 PM.

;7 o'clock AM : saa moja asubuhi

;7 o'clock AM : saa moja asubuhi

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;Month : mwezi

;Month : mwezi

−

In Tanzania the names of the months (in parenthesis) are rarely used. Instead, they refer to them as first month, second month, etc.

+

In Tanzania, the words in parentheses are rarely used. Instead, they refer to them as first month, second month, etc.

; January : Mwezi wa kwanza (Januari)

; January : Mwezi wa kwanza (Januari)

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====Seasons====

====Seasons====

−

Swahili speaking countries generally experience 2 seasons: rainy/hot and cold/dry. Swahili does not have words for "autumn" or "spring", etc.

+

Swahili-speaking countries generally experience two seasons: rainy-and-hot and cold-and-dry. Swahili does not have words for "autumn" or "spring", etc.

; Can you show me on the map? : Unaweza nionyesha katika ramani? (maps are not widely understood; street names and directions are less frequently used than local landmarks, which you need to learn for each area. Bus stations, bus stops, expensive hotels, monuments, and even some very unlikely items, constitute recognized landmarks)

−

; street :

+

; Where is it on the map? : Iko wapi katika ramani?

+

; street : Streeti

+

; Highway : Barabara

; Turn left. : Pinda kushoto

; Turn left. : Pinda kushoto

; Turn right. : Pinda kulia

; Turn right. : Pinda kulia

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; straight ahead : Moja kwa moja

; straight ahead : Moja kwa moja

; towards the _____ :

; towards the _____ :

−

; past the _____ : Baada ya ____

+

; close to _____ : Karibu na

+

; past the _____ : Baada ya ____/Pita ya _____

; before the _____ : Kabla ya ____

; before the _____ : Kabla ya ____

; Watch for the _____. : Angalia kwa ____

; Watch for the _____. : Angalia kwa ____

; intersection :

; intersection :

−

; north :

+

; north : Kaskazini

−

; south :

+

−

; east :

+

; south : Kusini

−

; west :

+

−

; uphill :

+

; east : Mashariki

+

+

; west : Magharibi

+

+

; uphill : kwenye mlima

+

; downhill :

; downhill :

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; Taxi! :

; Taxi! :

; Take me to _____, please. :

; Take me to _____, please. :

+

Nipeleke......, tafadhali

; How much does it cost to get to _____? :

; How much does it cost to get to _____? :

+

itakuwa pesa ngapi kunifikisha------?

; Take me there, please. :

; Take me there, please. :

+

Tafadhali nipeleke huko basi:

===Lodging===

===Lodging===

−

; Do you have any rooms available? :

+

; Do you have any rooms available? : Je, unavyo vyumba?/Je, vyumba vipo?

−

; How much is a room for one person/two people? :

+

; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Chumba cha mtu moja/watu wawili ni bei gani ?

; A pint, please. : (Pint measure is not used in East Africa, bottles are usually half litre, sometimes 375ml. People order by the bottle and if there are two sizes, they say 'kubwa' for large or 'ndogo' for small.

Revision as of 18:12, 11 October 2012

Swahili or Kiswahili, is an official language of Tanzania, Kenya(English is the official language the government of Kenya and is widely spoken in urban areas), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. Swahili speakers can also be found in surrounding countries, such as Burundi, Rwanda, and Mozambique. While only 5-10 million people speak Swahili as their first language, as a second language, there are over 50 million speakers, making it the most widely spoken African language in the world. As a part of the Bantu language family, Swahili is related to a variety of languages from Southern Africa to Central to West Africa. While some Bantu languages, like Xhosa and Zulu are click languages, Swahili does not use clicks, so pronunciation is generally not difficult for English speakers.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

Swahili has five vowels: a, e, i, o, u. If you are familiar with Spanish, Italian or Japanese, the vowels are pronounced the same. If not, they are pronounced:

A - ah (Like the "a" in "father")
E - eh (Like the "a" in "say" but without moving your mouth)
I - ee (Like the "ee" in "see")
O - oh (Like the "o" in "so" but without moving your mouth)
U - oo (Like the "oo" in "doom")

Vowels in Swahili always make the same sounds, even when combined with other vowels. There are no silent letters or diphthongs in Swahili, so vowels will always make the same sound, and it is important that you pronounce each vowel, even when one vowel follows another. For example, in the word "daawa" (lawsuit), you must say "dah-ah-wah", pronouncing both of the a's. Simply saying "dah-wah" (dawa) changes the meaning to "drug/medicine".

Consonants

The following consonants are pronounced the same as in English:

b

like the "b" in "bay"

d

like the "d" in "dog"

f

like the "f" in "fun"

g

like the "g" in "gut"

h

like the "h" in "hen"

j

like the "j" in "jam"

k

like the "k" in "kit"

l

like the "l" in "lump"

p

like the "p" in "pot"

s

like the "s" in "sun"

t

like the "t" in "tip"

v

like the "v" in "van"

w

like the "w" in "win"

y

like the "y" in "yellow"

z

like the "z" in "zebra"

Other consonants

m

like the "m" in "mop".

n

like the "n" in "numb"

Although "m" and "n" are pronounced the same in Swahili as they are in English, unlike English, these letters can often be found at the beginning of words followed by other consonants, such as "t", "d", etc. Since Swahili has no silent letters, it is important to pronounce these sounds. So for words like "Mchana" (afternoon) and "Ndugu" (sibling/relative), you need to pronounce the "m" and "n" sounds along with the following consonant sounds.

r

The "r" sound is not pronounced as it is in English. Actually, like the vowels, the "r" sound is the same as Spanish and Japanese; a soft "r" that sometimes sounds like a "d".

Consonant pairings

ch

like the "ch" in "chat"

ng

like the "ng" in "sing"

ny

like the "ni" in "onion"

gh

officially pronounced similiar to the "ch" in "loch", you can alternatively just pronounce it with a hard "g", like the "g" in "gut" (as mentioned above)

sh

like the "sh" in "dash"

th

like the "th" in "thank". It is never pronounced like the "th" in "those". That "th" is spelled "dh" in Swahili.

dh

like the "th" in "the". It is important not to confuse "dh" with the Swahili "th" above.

Common diphthongs

There are no diphthongs in Swahili; however, foreign names and loan words may contain them.

Phrase list

Basics

Note that greetings in Swahili are very important and long and drawn out - you can go back and forth several times, using not one but all of the greetings you know.

Hello. (to one person)

Hujambo (response: Sijambo)

Hello. (to a group) : Hamjambo (response: Hatujambo)

Hello to an older person or authority figure.

Shikamoo (shee-kah-moh) (response: Marahaba). Some people frown on the use of Shikamoo because it started out as a servant's greeting to his/her master.

Hello. (informal)

Sasa / Mambo / Jambo (generally said only to tourists). This is 'Sheng' or Swahili slang. Most locals are not impressed if you greet them using Sheng.

I'm sorry (in the sense of "pardon me"; used for minor transgressions).

Samahani.

I'm sorry (in the sense of "please forgive me for wronging you"; used for major transgressions).

Nasikitika.

Goodbye

Kwa heri.

Good night.

Usiku mwema.

Sleep well.

Lala Salama.

Did you sleep well?

Umelalaje?

Umeamkaje (lit.: did you wake up well?)

See you later.

Tuonane baadaye.

Later.

Baadaye.

See you tomorrow.

Tutuonana kesho.

My Swahili is terrible

Kiswahili changu ni kibaya sana.

I can't speak Kiswahili.

Siwezi kusema Kiswahili.

I only speak a little Kiswahili.

Ninaongea Kiswahili kidogo tu.

Do you speak English?

Unazungumza Kiingereza?

Bathroom

Bafu

Toilet

Choo

Help!

Msaada!

Where is the _______?

_____(e.g. bathroom, police station...) iko wapi?

Grammatically, this would depend on the noun class of the object in question. E.g. for bathroom, it would be 'Kiko', not 'Iko'. There are 18 noun classes in Swahili.

Problem(s)

Leave me alone.

Uniache!

Don't touch me!

Usiniguse!

I'll call the police.

Nitaita polisi!

Police!

Polisi!

Help!

Msaada!

Stop! Thief!

(Saying this in Swahili could likely result in violent death for the thief at the hands of self appointed vigilantes. Your item may or may not be recovered.) Simama, mwizi!

I need your help.

Ninaomba msaada.

I'm lost.

Nimepotea.

I lost my bag.

Nimepoteza mfuko wangu.

I lost my wallet.

Nimepoteza pochi.

I'm sick.

Mimi ni mgonjwa.

I've been injured.

I need a doctor.

Ninahitaji daktari.

Can I use your phone?

Ninaomba kutumia simu yako?

Numbers

One.

Moja

Two.

Mbili

Three.

Tatu

Four.

Nne

Five.

Tano

Six.

Sita

Seven.

Saba

Eight.

Nane

Nine.

Tisa

Ten.

Kumi

Twenty.

Ishirini

Thirty.

Thelathini

Forty.

Arobaini

Fifty.

Hamsini

Sixty.

Sitini

Seventy.

Sabini

Eighty.

Themanini

Ninety.

Tisini

One Hundred.

Mia moja

One Thousand.

Elfu moja

Time

now

Sasa

later

Baadaye

before

Kabla ya

after

Baada ya

morning

Asubuhi

afternoon

Mchana

evening

Jioni

night

Usiku

Clock time

What time is it?

Saa ngapi?

In Swahili, the morning does not begin at midnight (12 AM); instead, it begins at 7:00 AM. Daytime revolves around the rising and setting of the sun, which typically begins to rise around 7 AM and set at 7 PM in the areas where Swahili is spoken. For English speakers, this can be confusing; however, those who learn how to tell time in Swahili will admit that it is more logical than the English system, in which midnight is considered "morning", even though no one begins their day at midnight.

So, to say the time in Swahili, you need to add (or subtract) 6 from the English time. 7:00 in America will be expressed as the first hour (1:00) in Swahili. AM is expressed with asubuhi (morning) and PM is typically marked with usiku (night). Because the daytime begins at 7 AM, hours from midnight to 6 AM will be expressed with usiku, as these are nighttime hours in Swahili. Jioni (evening) can be used in place of usiku for hours that are not so late, such as 7 PM.

7 o'clock AM

saa moja asubuhi

7.15 AM

saa moja na robo asubuhi

7.20 AM

saa moja na dakika ishirini asubuhi

7.30 AM

saa moja na nusu asubuhi

7.45 AM

saa mbili (kasoro robo = kasorobo)

7.50 AM

saa mbili kasoro dakika kumi asubuhi

8 o'clock AM

saa mbili asubuhi

9 o'clock AM

saa tatu asubuhi

Noon (12 o'clock PM)

saa sita asubuhi

1 o'clock PM

saa saba mchana

2 o'clock PM

saa nana mchana

7 o'clock PM

saa moja usiku

8 o'clock PM

saa mbili usiku

9 o'clock PM

saa tatu usiku

Midnight (12 o'clock AM)

saa sita usiku

Duration

dakika_____ minute(s)

saa (masaa)_____ hour(s)

siku_____ day(s)

wiki_____ week(s)

mwezi (miezi)_____ month(s)

mwaka (miaka)_____ year(s)

duration ____ muda

how long ____ muda gani

Days

In Swahili, the first day of the week is Saturday. The name of Saturday combines juma (week) and mosi (one/first). You can think of it as meaning roughly "the first of the week". The other days are the same, with the exception of Thursday and Friday, which do not follow the pattern.

Saturday

Jumamosi

Sunday

Jumapili

Monday

Jumatatu

Tuesday

Jumanne

Wednesday

Jumatano

Thursday

Alhamisi

Friday

Ijumaa

Months

Month

mwezi

In Tanzania, the words in parentheses are rarely used. Instead, they refer to them as first month, second month, etc.

January

Mwezi wa kwanza (Januari)

February

Mwezi wa pili (Februari)

March

Mwezi wa tatu (Machi)

April

Mwezi wa nne (Aprili)

May

Mwezi wa tano (Mei)

June

Mwezi wa sita (Juni)

July

Mwezi wa saba (Julai)

August

Mwezi wa nane (Agosti)

September

Mwezi wa tisa (Septemba)

October

Mwezi wa kumi (Oktoba)

November

Mwezi wa kumi na moja (Novemba)

December

Mwezi wa kumi na mbili (Desemba)

Seasons

Swahili-speaking countries generally experience two seasons: rainy-and-hot and cold-and-dry. Swahili does not have words for "autumn" or "spring", etc.

Season

majira

summer

kiangazi

winter

majira ya baridi

spring

majira ya machipuko

fall

majira ya majani kupukukika

Writing time and date

Colors

black

-nyeusi

blue

- kibuluu

brown

- kahawia

colours

rangi

gray

kijivu

green

- kijani

orange

-machungwa

pink

-waridi

purple

-urujuani

red

-nyekundu

white

-nyeupe

yellow

-njano

Transportation

Bus and train

Minibus (Kenya, Uganda)

Matatu

Minibus (Tanzania)

Daladala

Passenger

Abiria

How much is a ticket to _____?

Tikiti ya kwenda ____ shengapi?

One ticket to _____, please.

Naomba tikiti moja ya kwenda ____.

Where does this train/bus go?

Treni/basi hii inakwenda wapi?

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

Treni/basi itakwenda ____?

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Treni/basi itaondoka lini?

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Treni/basi itafika lini _____?

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

Je, ninakwenda ____

I want to go to ____

Ninataka kuenda ____

Which direction?

Mwelekeo upi?

...the train station?

Kituo/stesheni cha treni/gari la moshi

...the bus station?

Kituo/stesheni cha basi

...the airport?

Uwanja wa ndegi

...downtown?

Mjini

Town center

Katikati ya mjini

...the youth hostel?

...the _____ hotel?

Hoteli _____ iko wapi? (but 'hoteli' often refers to a place to eat, especially in Kenya)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

Embassy

Ubalozi

Consulate

Balozi ndogo (but probably better to ask for 'Ubalozi')

Where are there a lot of...

...hotels?

hoteli

...restaurants?

migahawa (singular is 'mgahawa')

...bars?

Baa (same in plural)

Club

Kilabu

...sites to see?

Can you show me on the map?

Unaweza nionyesha katika ramani? (maps are not widely understood; street names and directions are less frequently used than local landmarks, which you need to learn for each area. Bus stations, bus stops, expensive hotels, monuments, and even some very unlikely items, constitute recognized landmarks)